Beware of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home!

Posted By Lightning Bug Electric || 12-Dec-2018

In our last
blog post, we discussed the importance of having enough working smoke alarms placed
throughout your home and business (where applicable). But there’s
another important
home safety issue and it’s the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The symptoms of CO poisoning are dangerous because they mimic flu-like
symptoms. So, if someone is unaware of the dangers of CO poisoning, they
can mistakenly believe they have the flu and remain in a home filled with
poisonous CO. If such a person stays in a home filled with CO fumes, it
can be fatal.

The symptoms of CO poisoning include:

Headaches

Dizziness

Weakness

Chest pain

Upset stomach

Vomiting

Confusion

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if someone
breathes in a lot of CO, it can make them pass out or it can kill them.
People who are drunk or asleep can die from CO poisoning before experiencing
any of the above symptoms.

Where is CO Found in the Home?

In the home, CO can originate from multiple sources. It can come from fumes
produced by fireplaces, gas ranges, stoves, grills, or furnaces. If CO
fumes are present in a home, it can build up inside the house and poison
any humans or animals that inhale the toxic, and sometimes deadly fumes.

We are all at risk of CO poisoning. However, infants, seniors, and people
with anemia or chronic respiratory problems are at a greater risk. According to the
CDC, “Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning
not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more
than 4,000 are hospitalized.”

Preventing CO Poisoning at Home

One of the best ways to prevent CO poisoning is to install battery-operated
CO detectors in your home, and check the batteries when the time changes
every spring and fall. It’s best to place the CO detector on every
level of your home, and inside your bedroom so it will wake you up if
it goes off at night when you’re in bed fast asleep. Lastly, CO
detectors should be replaced every five years.

Aside from installing and maintaining CO detectors, be sure to have the
HVAC system, water heater, and gas burning appliances checked annually
by a qualified technician.